New Jersey voters face Senate race and key House contests
Democrat Cory Booker is pursuing another six-year Senate stint, facing Republican Justin Murphy, independent Veronica Fernandez and Joanne Kuniansky of the Socialist Workers Party. Murphy has campaigned on affordability, lower taxes and giving New Jersey Republicans a voice in a Senate seat Democrats have held since 1972. Booker has emphasized bipartisan work and his record, while criticizing President Donald Trump’s policies. A Rutgers University political scientist said Booker appeared favored, while noting that national politics could influence turnout.
The House contests include a closely watched race in the 7th District, where Republican Tom Kean Jr. is running for a third term, challenged by Democrat Rebecca Bennett. Democrats see the seat as an opportunity to gain ground in a chamber where they need a net gain of four seats for control. Kean points to his work on expanding the state and local tax deduction; Bennett has criticized the administration’s policies and said she would vote to overturn a major tax-and-spending law.
Democrats have also added the 2nd District to their target list. Republican Jeff Van Drew, who switched parties after winning the seat as a Democrat in 2018, faces Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock. The district supported Trump in all three most recent presidential contests, and Van Drew prevailed by 17 points in 2024. Democratic groups have increased support for Mullock, but the district’s Republican advantage makes a flip difficult.
All 12 House seats and one Senate seat are on the November 3 ballot. Polls in New Jersey open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. For mailed ballots, the postmark deadline is 8 p.m. on November 3, and county election boards must receive them by November 9.
New Jersey voters can check Trump’s power at the polls
New Jersey’s midterms offer voters a chance to push back against President Donald Trump’s agenda, with races for the U.S. Senate and every House seat on the November 3 ballot. Cory Booker is pursuing another Senate term, opposed by Republican Justin Murphy and two other candidates. Booker has criticized Trump’s policies and stressed bipartisan work; Murphy has campaigned on affordability and lower taxes. A Rutgers University political scientist said national politics could drive turnout and considered Booker favored.
The clearest test of the anti-Trump mood may be the 7th District, where Democrat Rebecca Bennett is challenging Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Democrats need a net gain of four House seats to take control. Bennett has said she would vote to overturn a major tax-and-spending law that cuts Medicaid and food assistance. Kean highlights his work to expand the state and local tax deduction, but his record of siding with Trump on key issues could leave him vulnerable as voters weigh the administration’s direction.
Democrats are also making a push in the 2nd District, where Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock is challenging Republican Jeff Van Drew. Van Drew won by 17 points in 2024, while Trump carried the district in all three of the latest presidential races. Democratic groups have increased their support for Mullock, though the district’s Republican advantage poses a steep challenge.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on November 3. For mailed ballots, the postmark deadline is 8 p.m. that day, with receipt by county election boards required by November 9.
New Jersey Republicans face a Senate challenge and House defense
New Jersey Republicans are asking voters to reward their case on affordability and lower taxes as the state chooses a senator and all 12 House members on November 3. Republican Justin Murphy is challenging Democrat Cory Booker, who is pursuing another Senate term. Murphy has called for a new Republican voice in a Senate seat Democrats have held since 1972; Booker has emphasized bipartisan work and attacked President Donald Trump’s policies. A Rutgers University political scientist said Booker appeared favored.
Republicans also face a major test in the 7th District, where Tom Kean Jr. is vying for another term, opposed by Democrat Rebecca Bennett. Kean points to his work expanding the state and local tax deduction, an issue with particular weight in New Jersey. Democrats are counting on national opposition to Trump to help Bennett, who has said she would vote to overturn a major tax-and-spending law. The party needs a net gain of four House seats to take control.
In the 2nd District, Republican Jeff Van Drew faces Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock. Van Drew won by 17 points in 2024, while Trump carried the district in all three of the latest presidential races. Democrats have added the contest to their target list and increased support for Mullock, but Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on November 3. For mailed ballots, the postmark deadline is 8 p.m. that day, with receipt by county election boards required by November 9.
Reported by FOX 29 Philadelphia, ABC7 New York, FOX 5 New York, PhillyVoice, The Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS Philadelphia.
